UEFA has confirmed a major scheduling change for the 2026 Champions League final, with kick-off moved forward by three hours compared to the 2025 edition.
Instead of the traditional 9pm local start, next year’s showpiece at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna will begin at 6pm local time (5pm BST) on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
The decision marks a significant shift in UEFA’s approach, with president Aleksander Čeferin highlighting the goal of improving the matchday experience for supporters, teams, and host cities.
“The UEFA Champions League final is the highlight of the football season, and the new kick-off time will make it even more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone involved,” Čeferin said.
UEFA cited several reasons for the change:
- Logistics – late finishes in past finals have strained local transport and crowd control.
- Safety – incidents such as the chaotic 2022 final in Paris underscored the risks of late-night scheduling.
- Global reach – an earlier slot is seen as more convenient for international broadcasters and younger fans.
The Champions League final has been staged on Saturdays since 2010, but this will be the first time in over a decade that the showpiece kicks off significantly earlier. Regardless of whether the match goes to extra time or penalties, UEFA believes fans will benefit from a more family-friendly finish and the chance to continue celebrations well into the evening.
The 2026 final will take place at the Puskás Aréna, a near-70,000-capacity venue that previously hosted the 2023 Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma.
The Tactical Journal 
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